Movable partitions with pressure plate



Sept. l2, 1967 .1. M. DARRAH. JR

MOVABLE PARTTIONS WITH PRESSURE PLATE Filed May l0, 1965 James M. Darrah Jr.

IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

United States Patent O 3,340,655 MOVABLE PARTITIONS WITH PRESSURE PLATE James M. Darrah, Jr., 1704 Hermitage Ave. SE., Huntsville, Ala. 35801 Filed May 10, 1965, Ser. No. 454,334 2 Claims. (Cl. 52-122) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A removable partition installable between fixed supports having a plurality of panels and wherein the panels which are adjacent to the fixed supports each have a locking means employing a channel mounted threaded rod extending through the channel and including a pressure pad supported by the rod which snugly engages the fixed support to rmly lock the partition into place.

This invention relates toa novel method of construction, installation, and relocating movable partitions whereby partitions once installed, need only to be partially disassembled in order to relocate them from one position to another.

The use of movable partitions has become increasingly general in office buildings, manufacturing plants, laboratories, hospitals, etc., but as yet, the practice has not reached extensively into the homes.

A common fault, thus far, in the use of movable partitions has been the requirement of skilled craftsmen,

and tools to erect and relocate the partitions. Further there has been hesitancy on the part of architects and others concerned to incorporate movable partitions because of the feeling that sufficient flexibility could not be obtained to complement the designs of buildings.

There are panels presently available which will provide the aesthetic values desired by architects and interior decorators, and, in accordance with the invention set forth herein, these panels, by and large, can be coupled together to provide sturdy and attractive walls which are capable of being relocated with a minimum of tools, labor, and time.

The success and general acceptance of movable walls for a wide variety of purposes is unquestioned. Inherently, there are varying mechanical difficulties which must be overcome because ceilings and floors are not parallel and equidistant over large areas. Furthermore, most of these movable Walls leave unsightly scratches, holes or scars in the permanent Walls to which they are affixed.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a novel and yet practical movable wall, which will lend itself to flexibility of change with a minimum of skilled labor, time, and tools.

It is -another object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a novel and yet practical movable wall, which, when removed, will leave the permanent walls to which it was affixed unblemished.

A yet further object of the present invention is the provision of novel locking means exerting a tensile force between the movable walls and supports.

The description contained herein, although particularly described for the customary metal type movable walls, can be used on any type or combination of types of materials. The only requirement is that the wall section must extend between parallel planes, e.g. two vertical planes, whether they be columns or other supports permanently or rigidly fixed to withstand a sufficient pressure applied to hold the movable wall stationary. The amount of pressure being applied to such supports must be of such force as to withstand a force which could be reasonably expected as a maximum applied against the wall section in a perpendicular manner. In other Words, when the wall section is placed between two points, such force When applied degrees to the wall should not buckle or otherwise cause the wall to fall or become skewed.

In accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of the movable wall of my invention installed between a pair of permanent walls.

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, including a door provided in the movable Wall.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view along line 3 3 of FIG- URE 1 and illustrates rollers beneath the wall panel.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view along line 4 4 of FIG- URE 2 illustrating rollers beneath the door panel.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view along line 5 5 of FIGURE 1 and illustrates the joint at the wainscot separation.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view along line 6 6 of FIGURE 1 illustrating the locking means for retaining the wall between a pair of supports and also, illustrating a panel for enclosing the cavity in which the locking means is positioned.

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6, and illustrates the arrangement of the locking device as used in gypsumboard walls or panels.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGURE 1 wherein there is shown, for illustrative purposes only, a portable interior wall 10, supported between an exterior support or wall 12, and an interior support or wall 14, both supports, 12 and 14, being in substantially normal relation to wall 10. Wall 10 may be comprised of a plurality of panels in a size which is convenient to be moved. As shown in FIGURE 1, wall 10 includes a plurality of upper panels 16, and lower panels 18. The panels are moved into place, supported, and joined together to form the span between supports 12 and 14. The joining together of one panel to another must be in a manner which will insure, once the panels are joined, to appear as one unitized section of wall.

To assure ease of installing Wall 10, there is provided a bottom portion 20 of lower panels 18, a plurality of rollers 22. FIGURE 3 illustrates the arrangement of the rollers in a metal type wall wherein bottom portion 20 of wall 10 is provided with a channel 24 extending along the length of the wall. The rollers 22 are supported in spaced slots 26 disposed along the length of the channel;

FIGURE 4, illustrates the arrangement of the rollers in a section of wall having a door panel therein as shown in FIGURE 2. In this arrangement, the rollers are supported in spaced slots 28 disposed in a horizontally extending plate 30 which forms part of the threshold 32.

Referring again to FIGURE 1, upper panels 16 and lower panels 1S -are joined along the wainscot separation line 34. The joining of the upper and lower panels and adjacent vertical panels may be accomplished by means of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 5. In this arrangement a threaded rod 36 is disposed for threaded engagement with a nut 3S` carried in the respective panels 16 and 18. An enlarged section 44 of hexagonal cross-section or the like is provided on the rod to serve as a means whereby the rod may be gripped for the rotation thereof. After the panels are drawn snugly together, a pair of cover sections 46 and 48 are positioned on opposite sides of the panels to close the cavity. These cover sections may be the snap-on type wherein each section is provided with arcuate, inturned channel portions Si) which extend into the cavity to engage the inner portions 52 and 54 of panels 16 and 18 in snug-fitting engagement for retention of the cover plates over the cavity. Once the panels are assembled, adjustment and alignment is made vertically and horizontally and wall is then locked into place between walls 12 and 14. This is accomplished by means of a pressure foot assembly 56 mounted adjacent the Wall 10 in a cavity provided therein. Each pressure foot assembly (FIGURE 6) includes a channel S8 rigidly secured between the inner and outer Walls of panels 16 and 18. A foot member 60 of rubber or similar material which will not hold or adhere to walls 12 and 14, is secured to a pressure plate 62. A screw 64 is rotatably secured in an anchor plate 61 which is, in turn, secured to pressure plate 62. Screw 64 extends through a nut 66 carried by channel 58. A handle 68 is provided at the distal end of screw 64. To retain wall l() in place between walls 12 and 14, it is only necessary to rotate handle 68 for application of the desired force between pressure plate 62 and walls 12 and 14. In this manner walls 12 and 14 will not 'be scarred as a result of the installation and anchor plate 61 permits rotation of screw 64 therein while preventing plate 62 from rotating during the locking operation.

After the Wall has been securely locked into place, the cavity is then closed by means of cover plates 70. These plates may be similar to plates 46 and 48, discussed supra and illustrated in FIGURE 6.

The particular locking device herein described permits installation of a movable wall between a pair of supports in a manner which will insure ease of installation and disassembly. The locking device operates to exert a tensile force between the supports and movable wall and thus retain the movable wall between the supports in biased relation, thereby permitting ease of assembly and disassembly.

It is not desired to limit the present invention to only metal walls for obviously other types of walls may be utlized, paneling or gypsum, for example, FIGURE 7 illustrates the arrangement of pressure foot assembly 56 in a gypsum or paneling installation. In this arrangement a pair of inner and outer panels 72 and 74, respectively are joined by a stud 76, such as a 2 by 4. A pair of support members 78 and `80 are respectively secured to support panels 72 and 74. Pressure foot assembly 56 is mounted between members 78 and 8l) as shown in FIG- URE 7. Channel 58 of the pressure foot assembly is rigidly secured to support members 78 and 80 for retention of the pressure foot assembly in place. The pressure foot assembly operates to retain the panel in place as discussed supra, in conjunction with FIGURE 6.

The wainscot separation shown in FIGURE 5 may or may not be required for gypsum board walls.

The number of pressure foot assemblies used in locking the walls in place depends on the weight of the wall and the forces required to hold the wall in place. For example, in heavier and larger installations it may be necessary to use four pressure foot assemblies, one adjacent each corner of the installed wall. In lighter and smaller installations only two pressure foot assemblies may be required one adjacent each supporting wall.

Obviously, numerous variations and modifications of the present limitations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is to be understood, therefore, that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

I claim:

1. A removable partition assembly for installation between a pair of substantially parallel, fixed supports comprising:

A. a plurality of panels disposed for assembly to form a unitized partition, said partition disposed for mounting in normal relation to and in snug-fitting engagement with said fixed supports;

B. a plurality of rollers mounted along the bottom of said partition for ease of movement thereof to the position between said fixed supports; and

C. locking means comprising:

(l) a channel rigidly secured in a cavity provided in said panels positioned adjacent said fixed supports,

(2) a threaded rod extending through said channel in threaded relation therewith,

(3) a pressure plate secured to one end of said threaded rod for movement thereby into engagement with one of said fixed supports to exert a tensile force between said channel and said fixed support, and

(4) a handle secured to the other end of said threaded rod for rotation thereof in said channel to effect the movement of said pressure plate against said fixed support.

2. A removable partition assembly for installation between a pair of substantially parallel, fixed supports, comprising:

A. a plurality of adjacent panels disposed for assembly along horizontal and vertical planes to form a unitized partition, said partition disposed for mounting in normal relation to and in snug-fitting engagement with said fixed supports;

B. a plurality of rollers mounted along the bottom of said partition for ease of movement thereof to the position between said fixed supports;

C. locking means carried in said partition adjacent' each of said fixed supports, said locking means disposed for exerting a tensile force between said partition and said fixed supports for retention of said partition between said fixed supports in said snugfitting engagement.

D. second locking means engaging upper and lower said panels for assembly and vertical adjustment of said panels along the horizontal planes and comprising:

(1) a rod having a pair of oppositely threaded ends, one of said ends extending into one of said adjacent panels in threaded relation therewith,

(2) the other of said ends extending into a second panel in threaded relation therewith, and

(3) rneans carried by said rod intermediate said threaded ends to effect rotation of said rod in said panels for movement thereof and thus adjusts said panels for installation.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 1963 Great Britain.

OTHER REFERENCES German printed application St 87823 V 37a to Kruger published Oct. 25, 1956, 52-240.

JOHN E. MURTAGH, Primary Examiner. 

2. A REMOVABLE PARTITION ASSEMBLY FOR INSTALLATION BETWEEN A PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL, FIXED SUPPORTS, COMPRISING: A. A PLURALITY OF ADJACENT PANELS DISPOSED FOR ASSEMBLY ALONG HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL PLANES TO FORM A UNITIZED PARTITION, SAID PARTITION DISPOSED FOR MOUNTING IN NORMAL RELATION TO AND IN SNUG-FITTING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FIXED SUPPORTS; B. A PLURALITY OF ROLLERS MOUNTED ALONG THE BOTTOM OF SAID PARTITION FOR EASE OF MOVEMENT THEREOF TO THE POSITION BETWEEN SAID FIXED SUPPORTS; C. LOCKING MEANS CARRIED IN SAID PARTITION ADJACENT EACH OF SAID FIXED SUPPORTS, SAID LOCKING MEANS DISPOSED FOR EXERTING A TENSILE FORCE BETWEEN SAID PARTITION AND SAID FIXED SUPPORTS FOR RETENTION OF SAID PARTITION BETWEEN SAID FIXED SUPPORTS IN SAID SNUGFITTING ENGAGEMENT. D. SECOND LOCKING MEANS ENGAGING UPPER AND LOWER SAID PANELS FOR ASSEMBLY AND VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT OF SAID PANELS ALONG THE HORIZONTAL PLANES AND COMPRISING: (1)A ROD HAVING A PAIR OF OPPOSITELY THREADED ENDS, ONE OF SAID ENDS EXTENDING INTO ONE OF SAID ADJACENT PANELS IN THREADED RELATION THEREWITH, (2) THE OUTER OF SAID ENDS EXTENDING INTO A SECOND PANEL IN THREADED RELATION THEREWITH, AND (3) MEANS CARRIED BY SAID ROD INTERMEDIATE SAID THREADED ENDS TO EFFECT ROTATION OF SAID ROD IN SAID PANELS FOR MOVEMENT THEREOF AND THUS ADJUSTS SAID PANELS FOR INSTALLATION. 